Um, and one of the things I'm after
is a separate room for my practice,

0:08:43

0:08:47

-because I'm a therapist.

-Yeah.

0:08:47

0:08:49

So, that will have to be downstairs,
as well.

0:08:49

0:08:51

And in terms of location
and space outside,

0:08:51

0:08:54

what are you looking for there?

0:08:54

0:08:55

We want a decent-sized garden,
particularly for the boys to

0:08:55

0:08:58

be able to play out and enjoy being
in the countryside.

0:08:58

0:09:01

In terms of the actual style of the
house, what are you looking for?

0:09:01

0:09:05

Eh, we're after a house
with character.

0:09:05

0:09:07

I suppose our fantasy is
the cottage,

0:09:07

0:09:09

with a lovely real fire
in the living room.

0:09:09

0:09:12

So, we haven't really been
interested in new-builds

0:09:12

0:09:15

unless they've got something quirky
about them.

0:09:15

0:09:17

-If it feels right, if it's the right
house, we can make it work.

-Mmm.

0:09:17

0:09:21

Remind me of your budget. How much
money have we got to play with?

0:09:21

0:09:24

If we find a house with
outbuildings, around 475.

0:09:24

0:09:28

OK, so the outbuildings are
for what...?

0:09:28

0:09:31

-For the possibility of converting
to maybe holiday lets.

-Oh, OK.

0:09:31

0:09:35

-OK, well, we can talk about that
as we go along.

-Sure.

0:09:35

0:09:37

It's quite a lot
that you're looking for.

0:09:37

0:09:39

-You know, it's a nice big
budget, but...

-Yeah, sure.

0:09:39

0:09:41

We have some great properties
lined up. All quite different,

0:09:41

0:09:43

so hopefully one of them will tug
at your heartstrings.

0:09:43

0:09:46

And there's no time like the
present, so get your bits and bobs,

0:09:46

0:09:48

-let's go.

-Fantastic.

-Thank you.

0:09:48

0:09:50

With a total budget of up
to £475,000

0:09:52

0:09:56

for the right house,
with outbuildings,

0:09:56

0:09:58

Steven and John would like
a character property with

0:09:58

0:10:01

a large kitchen, five bedrooms,

0:10:01

0:10:04

a music room,

0:10:04

0:10:05

and somewhere for Steven's
hypnotherapy practice.

0:10:05

0:10:08

They'd also like a large,
child-friendly garden.

0:10:08

0:10:11

We've got some incredible properties
to show them,

0:10:13

0:10:16

and at each, I'll be asking them to

0:10:16

0:10:18

guess the price before I reveal it.

0:10:18

0:10:20

The final tour will be our
Mystery House,

0:10:20

0:10:22

which may lead to
a surprising conversion.

0:10:22

0:10:25

How are you feeling about moving to
the countryside,

0:10:29

0:10:32

now you're coming up into the sticks
of Derbyshire?

0:10:32

0:10:35

Everybody's been so friendly and so
welcoming anywhere that we've been

0:10:35

0:10:41

that it's kind of put my mind
at rest.

0:10:41

0:10:43

We love Derbyshire. We just love...

0:10:43

0:10:45

When we come up, it's just that
feeling.

0:10:45

0:10:48

As soon as you see a bit of
green or a tree,

0:10:48

0:10:51

you know, it's like we' just sort
of relax.

0:10:51

0:10:54

It's something about being back in
the countryside, in nature,

0:10:54

0:10:57

that seems to naturally help you let
go of the stresses of being

0:10:57

0:11:01

in a busy city, and it just feels
like it's going to be

0:11:01

0:11:03

-a slightly slower existence.

-Yeah.

0:11:03

0:11:05

Having to go from one diary entry
to another and squeeze things in and

0:11:05

0:11:08

rushed here, there and everywhere.

0:11:08

0:11:10

Our house-hunting is taking us
to the village of Hatton,

0:11:13

0:11:16

close to the Staffordshire border.

0:11:16

0:11:19

Around half a mile across
the River Dove

0:11:19

0:11:21

is the village of Tutbury.

0:11:21

0:11:23

Below the ruins of its medieval
castle are tea rooms, pubs,

0:11:23

0:11:27

a post office and other provisions.

0:11:27

0:11:30

But this is no sleepy
country backwater,

0:11:30

0:11:33

it's still a busy and populous
place, as one factor of the house

0:11:33

0:11:38

we've come to see demonstrates.

0:11:38

0:11:40

So let's head back to the village
of Hatton.

0:11:40

0:11:42

So our first house meets pretty much
all of your commitments on paper

0:11:42

0:11:47

-except for one, and that you can
probably hear.

-Yes.

-Yes.

0:11:47

0:11:51

THEY CHUCKLE

0:11:51

0:11:53

So, behind that big hedge, we've got
a busy road into the village.

0:11:53

0:11:57

-It's not the big rural location
that you were looking for.

-OK.

0:11:57

0:12:01

Well, we know we'd have to
compromise on something, so...

0:12:01

0:12:04

-We've lived close to kind of a main
road in London, haven't we?

-Mm.

0:12:04

0:12:07

What do you think
about the actual property?

0:12:07

0:12:09

-It looks really lovely.

-Yeah.

-Really... It looks old.

0:12:09

0:12:12

-Yeah.

-A bit of character.

-Yeah.

-That's what we're looking for.

-Yeah.

0:12:12

0:12:16

Love the house. But, yeah,
the road...a little bit busy.

0:12:16

0:12:21

-But, you know, we can have a look
and see what we think.

-Yeah.

0:12:21

0:12:24

-Let's go and have a look inside.

-OK.

0:12:24

0:12:26

Although not in the depths
of the countryside, I think

0:12:28

0:12:31

this less isolated location
may well appeal to our pair,

0:12:31

0:12:34

who are used to living
in London's busy East End.

0:12:34

0:12:38

What's more, this detached home,
originally built in the 1850s,

0:12:38

0:12:42

shares some of the Victorian
character they know and love

0:12:42

0:12:44

in their current home.

0:12:44

0:12:46

Extended to the front in the latter
part of the Victorian era,

0:12:46

0:12:50

a porched front door takes us
through a very large entrance hall,

0:12:50

0:12:54

currently used as a games area,
and on to a further reception room.

0:12:54

0:12:59

Come into this room.

0:12:59

0:13:00

This is a good example of the
Victorian dimensions of the house,

0:13:00

0:13:03

with a lovely kind of fireplace,
big, high ceilings.

0:13:03

0:13:06

It's a lovely space.
What do you think?

0:13:06

0:13:09

-It is really...really calming,
isn't it?

-Yes, it is.

0:13:09

0:13:12

And it's very quiet.

0:13:12

0:13:14

Nice sort of sanctuary.

0:13:14

0:13:15

In terms of the kind of the style
and period of the house,

0:13:15

0:13:18

-is this what you were looking for?

-Yes.

-Yes, absolutely. Yeah.

0:13:18

0:13:21

Yeah, it's... That sort of period
of architecture is something

0:13:21

0:13:24

I really like. It's solid,
it's build to last.

0:13:24

0:13:28

Nice big room, nice high ceilings,
and that's...that's lovely.

0:13:28

0:13:31

There's quite a lot of reception
space in this house.

0:13:31

0:13:33

As you noticed as we came in,
there's a great big hallway,

0:13:33

0:13:36

where they've got
a sort of pool table.

0:13:36

0:13:37

That could be a playroom, cos
that's at the foot of the stairs.

0:13:37

0:13:40

Yeah, that's true.

0:13:40

0:13:42

-Good. So... Thumbs up?

-Yes, definitely.

-So far, yeah.

0:13:42

0:13:45

-Let's continue our exploration.

-OK.

0:13:45

0:13:47

Back through entrance hall,

0:13:51

0:13:52

a corridor leads to the rear of
the property where there is a large

0:13:52

0:13:56

kitchen and breakfast room

0:13:56

0:13:58

with lines of sight through
to two further reception rooms.

0:13:58

0:14:01

So come in. Now we come to
the very other end of the house.

0:14:01

0:14:03

It's a bit of a whistle-stop tour.

0:14:03

0:14:05

But if you look behind you here,

0:14:05

0:14:06

you've got these parallel
through rooms here, lots of space.

0:14:06

0:14:10

It's quite a big ground floor.

0:14:10

0:14:12

This, then, is the kitchen, which is

0:14:12

0:14:14

-kind of your domain. Is that
right, John?

-Oh, yes.

0:14:14

0:14:16

I like it.

0:14:16

0:14:17

I can see me in here.

0:14:17

0:14:19

Nice table here for the boys to sit
and do their homework on.

0:14:19

0:14:22

It's also nice to have a space
that's sort of separate

0:14:22

0:14:25

-but you can also see what
they're up to.

-Exactly, yeah.

0:14:25

0:14:28

And then I was thinking your music
room could be there at the back.

0:14:28

0:14:31

-Yep, yep.

-Is that going to be
enough space?

0:14:31

0:14:33

-Yes. Yes, definitely.

-Phew!
Cos we can't give you any more.

0:14:33

0:14:37

-No. Lots of possibilities about
how we can use the room.

-Definitely.

0:14:37

0:14:40

If you look over here,

0:14:40

0:14:41

through this window,
across the courtyard here,

0:14:41

0:14:44

that's the annexe,
so that's fully wired up,

0:14:44

0:14:47

and we were thinking that would be
a perfect place

0:14:47

0:14:49

-as your therapy space.

-Oh, wow, wonderful, OK.

0:14:49

0:14:52

Cos, you know,
your clients could park, come in,

0:14:52

0:14:54

they'd never have to come
into the main house.

0:14:54

0:14:56

No, that's a great idea, yeah.

0:14:56

0:14:57

-Very excited actually.

-Yeah, yeah.

0:14:57

0:14:59

-As you say,
it ticks a lot of the boxes.

-Yeah.

0:14:59

0:15:01

-I get a good feeling in here.

-Good.

0:15:01

0:15:03

Yeah, I got that as soon as
I came in through the door.

0:15:03

0:15:06

It's important for me sort of the
emotional connection to a place.

0:15:06

0:15:10

-Yeah.

-I can see
us entertaining here as well,

0:15:10

0:15:12

because we do enjoy
our entertainment, don't we?

0:15:12

0:15:15

Particularly
when you're cooking a lovely meal.

0:15:15

0:15:17

We'll give you plenty of time,
obviously, to look around,

0:15:17

0:15:19

-but let's look upstairs.

-OK.

0:15:19

0:15:20

The tranquillity, space and elegant
dimensions offered up inside

0:15:22

0:15:27

this home seem to have dispelled
their initial reservations for now.

0:15:27

0:15:31

And completing this floor
is a cloakroom and utility.

0:15:32

0:15:35

Upstairs, we find the four-bedroomed
sleeping quarters.

0:15:36

0:15:40

Above the kitchen,

0:15:40

0:15:41

a family bathroom sits
next to a double room.

0:15:41

0:15:45

Another double
has a single-aspect window,

0:15:45

0:15:48

whilst a third enjoys aspects
to the front and side of the home.

0:15:48

0:15:52

That leaves the wing above the hall
and sitting room

0:15:52

0:15:56

for the fourth, largest bedroom,
complete with an en-suite.

0:15:56

0:16:00

Here we are, the master bedroom.

0:16:00

0:16:03

-It's a lovely sized room.

-It is. Yeah.

0:16:03

0:16:05

It's got a nice feel to it.
Our sanctuary!

0:16:05

0:16:07

Yeah.

0:16:07

0:16:08

Lots of room for storage
and getting all your clothes in.

0:16:08

0:16:12

-Right.

-Oh, yeah, all my shoes.

0:16:12

0:16:14

But this is
quite a spectacular en-suite.

0:16:14

0:16:17

-Oh!

-Oh!

-Wow.

0:16:17

0:16:19

It's enormous, isn't it? Yes.

0:16:19

0:16:21

Oh, that was a surprise.

0:16:21

0:16:23

It is a very spacious house.

0:16:23

0:16:25

-You know, those Victorians, they
didn't skimp on space.

-That's true.

0:16:25

0:16:28

-I think let's get the price
in place.

-OK.

0:16:28

0:16:31

-So let's step outside for a moment.

-OK.

0:16:31

0:16:33

A good reaction to the interior
of this large Victorian home.

0:16:35

0:16:39

And outside, there's gated
rear access

0:16:39

0:16:41

to that self-contained annexe.

0:16:41

0:16:43

There's also off-street parking

0:16:43

0:16:46

and two single garages,

0:16:46

0:16:48

as well as a rather luxurious
hot tab.

0:16:48

0:16:51

The front of the home features
a large lawn

0:16:51

0:16:54

plus a paved terrace
for al fresco dining.

0:16:54

0:16:57

What do you think
of the garden size?

0:16:57

0:17:00

-It's a good size. I can see the boys
being quite happy here.

-Absolutely.

0:17:00

0:17:03

Plenty of room for them to play in,
I think.

0:17:03

0:17:05

Nice sort of zones to
sit out in, on a summer's day.

0:17:05

0:17:09

What do you think about the price?
You think this all comes in at?

0:17:09

0:17:12

-I'm going to go for 410.

-OK.

0:17:12

0:17:16

I'm going to go more towards the top
of our budget. I think around 470.

0:17:16

0:17:20

Aha, right. So quite a disparity.

0:17:20

0:17:22

-Slap bang in the middle, actually.
It's on at 430.

-Oh.

0:17:22

0:17:25

That's, I think, pretty good.

0:17:25

0:17:27

that gives you some money
to play around with,

0:17:27

0:17:29

maybe redecorating stuff.

0:17:29

0:17:31

Why don't you go and explore and
I'll catch up with you afterwards?

0:17:31

0:17:34

Brilliant, thank you.

0:17:34

0:17:35

That's a pretty good first house.
I know the road is noisy.

0:17:36

0:17:39

That's going to be an issue.

0:17:39

0:17:40

But there's so much
to offer in this property,

0:17:40

0:17:42

we couldn't not show it to them.

0:17:42

0:17:44

I think they are pretty charmed.

0:17:44

0:17:46

This detached Victorian home

0:17:48

0:17:50

comes with a large
kitchen/breakfast room

0:17:50

0:17:53

and four further reception spaces.

0:17:53

0:17:55

There are four bedrooms,
including a spacious en-suite,

0:17:55

0:17:58

and a self-contained annexe
as well as two garages.

0:17:58

0:18:02

This would make a good therapy room.

0:18:02

0:18:04

-Yeah, I think so, yeah.
Really fit the bill.

-Nice big space.

0:18:04

0:18:07

-And actually it is big enough to do
small workshops as well.

-Oh, yeah.

0:18:07

0:18:10

-That's an idea.

-A possibility.

0:18:10

0:18:12

I think the first thing I noticed
about the property was its size.

0:18:12

0:18:15

It seemed like it held
a lot of rooms.

0:18:15

0:18:17

And certainly we weren't
disappointed when we came inside.

0:18:17

0:18:20

It was quite an imposing building,
but at the same time,

0:18:20

0:18:22

we felt quite comfortable in here.

0:18:22

0:18:27

I think the house definitely

0:18:27

0:18:28

has potential, particularly if
I think about my therapy practice

0:18:28

0:18:32

and that the annexe outside
could definitely be converted to

0:18:32

0:18:35

a nice therapy space.

0:18:35

0:18:37

It's definitely a contender,
I believe.

0:18:37

0:18:40

I feel at home.

0:18:40

0:18:42

I could see us living here.

0:18:42

0:18:44

I can see all our stuff here.

0:18:44

0:18:46

I can also see me pottering around
in the kitchen,

0:18:46

0:18:48

watching the boys do their homework,
so, like, I've moved in, in my head.

0:18:48

0:18:52

-OK, we're done with this one,
let's go on to the next.

-OK.

0:18:55

0:18:58

Derbyshire may be best known
for its Dales,

0:19:05

0:19:08

but at one time wealthy tourists
came to the county not to clamber

0:19:08

0:19:12

up on its craggy cliffs

0:19:12

0:19:14

but to enjoy the alleged benefits
of its naturally heated waters.

0:19:14

0:19:18

The town of Buxton, once popular
with the Romans, enjoyed

0:19:18

0:19:23

a renaissance as a spa resort
from the 18th century onwards.

0:19:23

0:19:27

And in 1903,
an impressive opera house was built.

0:19:27

0:19:31

John, an opera fan who has even
written some himself,

0:19:31

0:19:35

plans to explore his musical side
after the move, so during the

0:19:35

0:19:39

week, we sent him and Steven to tour
this theatrical treasure.

0:19:39

0:19:43

They are starting in the
Dress Circle meeting Jenny Mather,

0:19:43

0:19:46

a keen amateur dramatist
who has performed here herself.

0:19:46

0:19:50

-Hi, nice to meet you.

-You too.

0:19:50

0:19:52

Blimey, what an amazing theatre.

0:19:53

0:19:56

It is a stunning theatre, isn't it?

0:19:56

0:19:57

It was built in 1903
by Frank Matcham,

0:19:57

0:20:00

who was the most prolific
theatre architect in the country

0:20:00

0:20:04

in the Victorian and Edwardian
period.

0:20:04

0:20:06

Buxton Opera House is similar
in design to the London Coliseum,

0:20:06

0:20:11

which you may be familiar with,

0:20:11

0:20:13

but it's considered one of
Frank Matcham's most perfect design.

0:20:13

0:20:16

What makes it so special?

0:20:16

0:20:18

The proportions
of the theatre are perfect,

0:20:18

0:20:21

and of course the decor is just
to die for, isn't it?

0:20:21

0:20:24

It's just simply stunning.

0:20:24

0:20:26

And at the time in his career
that Frank Matcham

0:20:26

0:20:28

built Buxton Opera House, you know,
he had many years' experience,

0:20:28

0:20:32

so he mixed practicality with
safety, lavish interior decor.

0:20:32

0:20:38

Of course, Frank Matcham was master
of sight line and master of the key

0:20:38

0:20:42

sticks, so wherever you sit
in the theatre, you are guaranteed

0:20:42

0:20:45

a fantastic view of the stage and
you can always hear the performers.

0:20:45

0:20:49

It's still, you know,

0:20:49

0:20:50

a fantastic experience
wherever you sit in the theatre.

0:20:50

0:20:54

There may be great views
from all angles,

0:20:54

0:20:56

but the tiers tell tales from the
strict social classes of yesteryear.

0:20:56

0:21:00

The middle and upper classes
sat closeness to stage

0:21:01

0:21:04

level on the comfiest chairs and
kept apart from the working class

0:21:04

0:21:08

up in the galleries, who were packed
in on hard wooden benches.

0:21:08

0:21:13

And you'll be pleased to know
that there are proper seats

0:21:13

0:21:15

upstairs in the gallery now.

0:21:15

0:21:18

There's so much gold everywhere,

0:21:18

0:21:20

then these amazing paintings
on the ceiling.

0:21:20

0:21:23

The different painted panels
represent the various arts,

0:21:23

0:21:26

so we've got music, literature,

0:21:26

0:21:30

dance, painting, poetry and comedy.

0:21:30

0:21:34

The gold leaf was repainted
in 2001 and, I believe,

0:21:34

0:21:38

there's £85,000 worth of gold leaf
up there.

0:21:38

0:21:41

And it is still as sparkling
as what it was 2001.

0:21:41

0:21:44

In 1927, like many theatres
at the time, the opera house became

0:21:46

0:21:50

a cinema before briefly
closing during the 1970s.

0:21:50

0:21:53

Fortunately, it was restored
and reopened, and it's now one of

0:21:54

0:21:58

around 20 surviving theatres in the
country designed by Frank Matcham.

0:21:58

0:22:02

To demonstrate how productions
are brought to life here,

0:22:04

0:22:07

technical manager Guy Dunk
is on hand in the lighting box.

0:22:07

0:22:10

Well, it seems like a lot of buttons
to press and control.

0:22:10

0:22:15

So how many lights are you
controlling from the box?

0:22:15

0:22:17

Typically, for our own lighting rig,
we've got about 130,

0:22:17

0:22:21

140 lamps. They're not all rigged
at the same time,

0:22:21

0:22:24

but of course we get productions in
from all over the world,

0:22:24

0:22:27

and they will bring additional
lighting with them,

0:22:27

0:22:30

and so, you know, we can control,
well, hundreds of lights.

0:22:30

0:22:36

The ancient Greeks were the first
to use lighting cues with epic

0:22:36

0:22:40

performances calling for sunrise

0:22:40

0:22:42

and sunset at certain points
of a production.

0:22:42

0:22:46

Several centuries later,

0:22:46

0:22:48

the Savoy Theatre in London
went fully electric,

0:22:48

0:22:51

and others followed suit.

0:22:51

0:22:53

So, just to go through the basics,
there's a touch-screen here.

0:22:53

0:22:57

Steve, if you want to press
just there, we'll see...

0:22:57

0:23:00

..the house like going down,
just gently fading out.

0:23:02

0:23:05

And then, John, if you perhaps
just want to push up that fader.

0:23:05

0:23:10

-And there we can see the blue lights
on the forestage.

-Wow.

0:23:10

0:23:16

You are now officially
lighting operators. Well done.

0:23:16

0:23:20

So now what we are going to do
is head down to the stage

0:23:20

0:23:24

and see what we can find there, OK?

0:23:24

0:23:27

Great.

0:23:27

0:23:29

The opera house uses what is
known as a fly system.

0:23:29

0:23:32

This means hemp ropes
and manpower are employed to raise

0:23:32

0:23:36

the stage curtain just as they were
when the theatre first open.

0:23:36

0:23:39

So then, gentlemen,
this is quite low-tech,

0:23:41

0:23:43

but this is the authentic
experience,

0:23:43

0:23:45

so perhaps if you would like to head
out onto the stage, and I will go

0:23:45

0:23:49

up the stairs, up to the fly floor
and operate the curtain.

0:23:49

0:23:52

-OK?

-Thank you.

-See you in a bit.

0:23:52

0:23:54

OK, guys, are you ready?
House curtain going up.

0:23:57

0:24:00

The boards of this 902-seater
theatre have been trod by acting

0:24:02

0:24:06

legends such as Sir Alec Guinness
and Dame Sybil Thorndike.

0:24:06

0:24:11

-Wow.

-Wow.

-Blimey.

0:24:11

0:24:14

Just stand and perform here.

0:24:14

0:24:16

Ladies and gentlemen...

0:24:16

0:24:18

Let's have a go of it.

0:24:18

0:24:19

Luckily, there are no signs
of performance anxiety

0:24:20

0:24:23

as joining John and Steven on stage
are community singers

0:24:23

0:24:26

The Kaleidoscope Choir
for a rousing rendition

0:24:26

0:24:29

of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus.

0:24:29

0:24:33

# Hallelujah

0:24:33

0:24:35

# Hallelujah

0:24:35

0:24:38

# Hallelujah

0:24:38

0:24:41

# Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah

0:24:41

0:24:45

# Hallelujah

0:24:45

0:24:49

# Hallelujah... #

0:24:49

0:24:53

No time for an encore, I'm afraid,
as it's back to see if any

0:24:53

0:24:56

of our properties will get a curtain
call on our Derbyshire house hunt.

0:24:56

0:25:00

The village of Brassington,
in the Derbyshire Dales,

0:25:03

0:25:06

is where our search is heading.

0:25:06

0:25:08

Nestled in the rocky limestone
uplands of White Peak

0:25:08

0:25:11

and close to many footpaths,

0:25:11

0:25:13

the quiet country lanes take
in a pretty Norman church,

0:25:13

0:25:17

village shop and primary school,

0:25:17

0:25:19

alongside lovely old stone houses.

0:25:19

0:25:22

Once an important centre
for lead mining,

0:25:23

0:25:25

reminders of the industry remain.

0:25:25

0:25:27

The house we've come to see
is located in

0:25:28

0:25:30

a small residential close.

0:25:30

0:25:32

ALISTAIR SIGHS
Listen, guys...

0:25:34

0:25:36

-Mmm. No road.

-Just quiet.
Peace and quiet.

0:25:36

0:25:40

-Good. Good, good, good.

-This is
the property we're interested in.

0:25:40

0:25:43

We're just a village away from the
beginning of the national park.

0:25:43

0:25:46

-Oh.

-Right.

-So, great location.

0:25:46

0:25:48

-It looks beautiful, I think.

-It does, yeah.

0:25:48

0:25:51

-Really sort of country cottage-y.

-Lovely. I love the brickwork.

-Yeah.

0:25:51

0:25:54

-It feels nicely quiet down here,
particularly.

-Mmm.

0:25:54

0:25:57

-So, the boys could play out here,
I think...

-Yeah.

0:25:57

0:25:59

..and I'd be perfectly happy
with that.

0:25:59

0:26:01

-Well, you'll see there's more play
options elsewhere.

-OK.

0:26:01

0:26:05

Let's take a look inside.

0:26:05

0:26:06

Built in 1992
with a later extension,

0:26:08

0:26:11

a central hall takes us to the first
room of the home,

0:26:11

0:26:14

which is currently unoccupied.

0:26:14

0:26:16

It's an unusual property because
there's nothing in it,

0:26:19

0:26:21

-so the owners have already moved
out.

-OK.

0:26:21

0:26:23

-But it gives you a blank canvas.

-Mmm.

0:26:23

0:26:25

Obviously, this is sitting room,

0:26:25

0:26:27

and it goes through into this lovely
sunroom at the back.

0:26:27

0:26:30

-Not sure at the moment.

-Yeah.

0:26:30

0:26:32

-I like the location, I very much
like the location.

-Yeah.

0:26:32

0:26:34

Not sure about the size of
the house.

0:26:34

0:26:38

-I need to see the rest
of the house.

-Yeah.

0:26:38

0:26:40

It's interesting, as well... Because
it hasn't got the furniture in,

0:26:40

0:26:43

-it takes a bit more
imagination...

-Mmm.

0:26:43

0:26:45

..to imagine the cosiness of it.

0:26:45

0:26:46

-So, there's a little bit of that
going on as well.

-Mmm.

0:26:46

0:26:49

So, you're feeling
it's a bit small...?

0:26:49

0:26:52

That's just first impressions, yeah.
That might change as we go round.

0:26:52

0:26:55

Let's have a look in the kitchen.

0:26:55

0:26:57

Across the hall,
the kitchen/breakfast room

0:26:57

0:27:00

sits to the front of the house.

0:27:00

0:27:02

Kitchen, again, bare
of any furniture and...

0:27:03

0:27:06

What do you think?

0:27:06

0:27:08

-It's a good size.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, very good size.

0:27:08

0:27:11

The thing about this property
is that...

0:27:11

0:27:13

one - it requires a bit of
imagination

0:27:13

0:27:15

to put the furniture in place,

0:27:15

0:27:16

but also there's a potential
to kind of change the interior.

0:27:16

0:27:19

So, there are plans that the owner
had drawn up to knock through

0:27:19

0:27:23

there so you've got a big
kitchen/diner that goes

0:27:23

0:27:25

right to the back of the house,
right into the garden.

0:27:25

0:27:27

OK.

0:27:27

0:27:28

OK, that sounds like a good idea.

0:27:28

0:27:30

So it's definitely a property that
you kind of need to kind of think

0:27:30

0:27:33

-beyond what you can see right now.

-Yeah.

0:27:33

0:27:35

We'd be up for that, I think.

0:27:35

0:27:36

We wouldn't do it ourselves.
Get somebody else in to do it.

0:27:36

0:27:39

You've got a sort of cryptic smile,
polite smile, John...

0:27:39

0:27:42

THEY LAUGH
Does that mean you've given up

0:27:42

0:27:44

-on this one?

-No, I haven't given up
on it at all, no.

-Right.

0:27:44

0:27:46

I'm just struggling to see how
we're going to fit everything in.

0:27:46

0:27:51

Yeah.

0:27:51

0:27:52

It remains to be seen whether
this house can coax John and Steven

0:27:52

0:27:56

to make it work for them,
although it seems they are open

0:27:56

0:27:59

to doing some reconfiguration.

0:27:59

0:28:01

Completing the current layout
of the ground floor,

0:28:01

0:28:04

a utility and cloakroom sit
behind the kitchen.

0:28:04

0:28:07

And behind that,
a dining room with views

0:28:07

0:28:10

and doors out to the garden.

0:28:10

0:28:12

Upstairs, there are four bedrooms.

0:28:12

0:28:14

To the front of the house,
there's a double bedroom

0:28:14

0:28:16

with built-in wardrobes,

0:28:16

0:28:18

and a single room,

0:28:18

0:28:20

which are both served
by a family bathroom.

0:28:20

0:28:23

There's a further bedroom to the
rear of the house, with an en-suite.

0:28:23

0:28:27

Then, overlooking the garden,
is the en-suite master.

0:28:27

0:28:31

This would be your bedroom.

0:28:32

0:28:35

Got great views.

0:28:35

0:28:36

Yes, it has.

0:28:37

0:28:38

And you've got an en-suite here.

0:28:38

0:28:40

It's a nice-sized room,

0:28:40

0:28:42

but I don't see much in the way
of storage, you know.

0:28:42

0:28:45

-Once you get your...

-Yeah,
once you get your bed in.

0:28:45

0:28:48

Yeah, that's true. Oh, dear.
Feel like it's ebbing away.

0:28:48

0:28:51

JOHN LAUGHS
Sand dropping through my fingertips.

0:28:51

0:28:54

It seems the accommodation
in this detached Dales house

0:28:54

0:28:57

has failed to convince our buyers,

0:28:57

0:28:59

but perhaps the glorious garden
setting will win them over.

0:28:59

0:29:03

As well as a stream,

0:29:03

0:29:04

there's a paddock of around
a fifth of an acre.

0:29:04

0:29:07

And with a footpath
on their doorstep,

0:29:07

0:29:09

the Derbyshire countryside
is in easy reach.

0:29:09

0:29:13

Plus, the attached garage
provides a versatile space

0:29:13

0:29:16

that could be adapted for
Steven's therapy practice.

0:29:16

0:29:19

So, the garden, you can see here,
is a great run-around for the boys.

0:29:21

0:29:25

LAUGHING: Still not looking
very impressed...

0:29:25

0:29:27

-It's kind of everything that we
weren't looking for.

-Oh, really?

0:29:27

0:29:31

Yeah. The look of the house
is great,

0:29:31

0:29:33

it's just the actual size
of the rooms, I think.

0:29:33

0:29:37

I love the fact the stream is there,
not that we asked for that,

0:29:37

0:29:39

-but it's a lovely extra.

-Mmm.
A good extra.

-Um, you know,

0:29:39

0:29:42

land-wise, garden-wise, it's here.

0:29:42

0:29:44

I find it difficult to see
the therapy room being here

0:29:44

0:29:48

unless we invested
in converting the garage.

0:29:48

0:29:52

Yeah, there are some options. You
could kind of build out, over

0:29:52

0:29:54

the garage. You could also possibly
go up into the roof, although,

0:29:54

0:29:57

as you see, it's got quite some
impressive solar panels,

0:29:57

0:30:00

which brings back around £2,000 a
year,

0:30:00

0:30:02

-so you're heating's pretty much for
free.

-Sure.

0:30:02

0:30:05

Which is a pity. I mean, I love the
conservatory, the size of it.

0:30:05

0:30:08

Obviously, there's features of it
that are nice.

0:30:08

0:30:11

So, what do you think
it's on the market for?

0:30:11

0:30:13

-Uh...375?

-Mm-hm.

0:30:13

0:30:15

I'll go for 400,000.

0:30:15

0:30:17

Your both a bit low,
it's on a 418,000.

0:30:17

0:30:21

OK.

0:30:21

0:30:22

But go back inside and
have another snoop around,

0:30:22

0:30:24

and I'll see you out front

0:30:24

0:30:25

and then we can see what else
we can rustle up for you.

0:30:25

0:30:28

-OK.

-Great. Thank you.

0:30:28

0:30:30

Coming in below budget,

0:30:31

0:30:32

this detached Dales house comes with

0:30:32

0:30:35

a kitchen/breakfast room,

0:30:35

0:30:36

dedicated dining room

0:30:36

0:30:38

and a large conservatory.

0:30:38

0:30:40

There are four bedrooms,

0:30:40

0:30:41

two with en-suite bathrooms,

0:30:41

0:30:43

and a good-sized garden

0:30:43

0:30:45

surrounded by countryside.

0:30:45

0:30:47

-The conservatory's stunning.
The views are amazing.

-Agreed.

0:30:47

0:30:51

So again, a lot of our boxes,
I think, have been ticked.

0:30:53

0:30:56

-Maybe not enough.

-No.

0:30:56

0:30:59

I think the house promised a lot.

0:30:59

0:31:01

From when we rolled up at the front
door, I thought,

0:31:01

0:31:03

"Wow, this looks
just what we're looking for."

0:31:03

0:31:05

And the location was stunning.

0:31:05

0:31:07

The conservatory particularly
appeals to me.

0:31:07

0:31:09

I quite like the idea of the sun
coming in and kind of sitting

0:31:09

0:31:13

out there and reading.

0:31:13

0:31:15

As a growing family, I think we just
need that room to expand.

0:31:15

0:31:19

The floor space, as a whole, is not
as big as we've got at the moment.

0:31:19

0:31:24

It feels like there's
too many compromises for us,

0:31:24

0:31:27

with this property.

0:31:27

0:31:28

This is the quiet location
that we want,

0:31:28

0:31:31

-but just a bigger property.

-Yes. Yep.

0:31:31

0:31:34

I don't know how many extensions
or skylights

0:31:35

0:31:38

or new solar panels

0:31:38

0:31:40

is going to make this house
work for them, so...

0:31:40

0:31:43

I was just saying,
I can't really tweak this property

0:31:43

0:31:46

to make it sing to you, can I?

0:31:46

0:31:47

-No, I'm afraid not, Alistair.

-Let's draw a veil over it.

-Yes.

0:31:47

0:31:51

-And go and get some rest and get
ready for tomorrow.

-Wonderful.

0:31:51

0:31:54

We're in Derbyshire,
with a maximum budget of £475,000

0:32:07

0:32:12

to find John and Steven,
from East London,

0:32:12

0:32:14

a country home for them
and their two sons.

0:32:14

0:32:17

They've already seen some lovely
property, but there's

0:32:17

0:32:20

some more to come,
including the Mystery House,

0:32:20

0:32:22

which could take our search
to new heights.

0:32:22

0:32:25

-Do you like what you see?

-I do,
yeah.

-I do like what I see, yeah.

0:32:25

0:32:28

It's lovely, it's welcoming,
it's warming.

0:32:28

0:32:30

Got that lovely calm feeling.

0:32:30

0:32:33

And I'm at the cutting edge of
a local craft revival in Derby.

0:32:33

0:32:37

I think there's something
to be said about the warmth that

0:32:37

0:32:40

you get from wood. It's...
Yeah, less sterile.

0:32:40

0:32:43

-It's lovely - you're kind of beaming
as you say that.

-I know!

0:32:43

0:32:46

We didn't quite hit the mark
yesterday, but today's

0:32:50

0:32:53

another day, here in the beautiful
peaks, and we're hoping that

0:32:53

0:32:56

we can get closer to meet John
and Steve's expectations,

0:32:56

0:33:00

even though they are quite high for
their budget. But it's all for a

0:33:00

0:33:03

good cause - getting the boys
a new home up here in the north -

0:33:03

0:33:07

so I'm hoping that one of today's
properties is going to hit the mark.

0:33:07

0:33:11

I'm really hoping one of them does.

0:33:11

0:33:13

We're travelling to the small hamlet
of Shipley Gate,

0:33:16

0:33:18

on the border
with Nottinghamshire.

0:33:18

0:33:20

The town of Eastwood is under a mile
and a half away and provides

0:33:21

0:33:24

a good range of shops and services.
The writer D H Lawrence

0:33:24

0:33:28

was born in this former coal town,
and as the son of a

0:33:28

0:33:32

barely literate miner, his exposure
to colliery life was formative.

0:33:32

0:33:37

A short drive away, our next house
is located by a canal

0:33:37

0:33:41

built to transport the region's
coal. Accessed via a gated drive,

0:33:41

0:33:45

the surroundings may be picturesque,
but it holds its own

0:33:45

0:33:49

rather gruesome link
to the mining industry.

0:33:49

0:33:51

OK, now, I love this property,
but I have no idea whether

0:33:53

0:33:56

you're going to love it or hate it.

0:33:56

0:34:00

-This used to be the slaughterhouse.

-Hmm.

-Yes.

0:34:00

0:34:03

I was toying whether to tell you
that or not. It's the slaughterhouse

0:34:04

0:34:08

-where they used to slaughter
the pit ponies.

-My goodness, wow.

0:34:08

0:34:12

This is a project, so it's whether
you're going to be willing to

0:34:12

0:34:16

-do the work and make it happen.

-Sure.

-OK.

0:34:16

0:34:21

-I'm up for a project, yeah.
Are you?

-I think so, yeah, yeah.

0:34:21

0:34:24

-What are your first thoughts,
coming down the drive?

-I love it.

0:34:24

0:34:27

-Yeah?

-This kind of feels to me
like the house in the woods,

0:34:27

0:34:31

you know, the gingerbread fairy-tale
sort of place.

0:34:31

0:34:34

-But without the nasty...

-But without the witch!

-Exactly!

0:34:34

0:34:37

-Yeah, no, this looks fantastic.

-It does, yeah.

0:34:37

0:34:40

-Really excited about seeing inside.

-Let's see what you think.

0:34:40

0:34:43

With a stable block dating
from the 18th century,

0:34:45

0:34:48

the main building was
constructed in the 1920s

0:34:48

0:34:52

and converted into a home in the
1980s. Its intriguing layout

0:34:52

0:34:57

begins with an entrance hall, which
leads into the country kitchen.

0:34:57

0:35:00

Come into the warmth,
and into the kitchen.

0:35:02

0:35:05

I love it, actually. The fact it's
kind of like a farmhouse kitchen.

0:35:05

0:35:10

-It just kind of gives that nice feel
to it, doesn't it?

-It does, yeah.

0:35:10

0:35:12

-Working kitchen.

-Yeah.

-Full of character.

0:35:12

0:35:15

-I love the beams as well.

-Yeah.

0:35:15

0:35:17

-I love it. It feels like a home...

-Mm.

0:35:17

0:35:20

-..which is what we're after, isn't
it, really?

-Mm, absolutely, yeah.

0:35:20

0:35:23

But I think it's a love it or hate
it sort of thing, you know,

0:35:23

0:35:26

-if you like the vibe of the place,
you can do something with it.

-Yeah.

0:35:26

0:35:30

Directly off the kitchen
is a reception room,

0:35:30

0:35:32

packed with period appeal.

0:35:32

0:35:35

This is the heart of the home,
really. This is the sort of

0:35:35

0:35:38

-central sitting room.

-Lovely and quirky.

-It is quirky.

0:35:38

0:35:43

-Which is exactly what we're after,
isn't it?

-Yeah, yeah.

0:35:43

0:35:46

This house has a lot of character.

0:35:46

0:35:47

-Great big roaring coal fire.

-Yes.

0:35:47

0:35:50

Completely tugging at my
heartstrings. It really is, yeah.

0:35:50

0:35:54

-I could just imagine us in here.

-I could, yeah.

0:35:54

0:35:56

-Absolutely.

-Definitely.

0:35:56

0:35:57

-It's a very cosy house.

-It is.

-And
you could do so much with it.

-Mm.

0:35:57

0:36:01

I think particularly, what appeals
to me, is the boys loving

0:36:01

0:36:04

-exploring and hiding...

-Yeah.

-..and running around, and having

0:36:04

0:36:07

a lot of fun living here,
I think, particularly...

0:36:07

0:36:10

-I think it would appeal to the boys,
wouldn't it?

-Yeah, I think so.

0:36:10

0:36:13

Upstairs is a little bit tight,
I'm just warning you,

0:36:13

0:36:15

so let's have a look there.

0:36:15

0:36:18

I'm glad the somewhat grizzly
origins of this

0:36:18

0:36:21

former slaughterhouse have not
distracted John and Steven from

0:36:21

0:36:24

its undeniable charms. Off this
reception is a dining room with a

0:36:24

0:36:28

spiral staircase up
to the upper floor,

0:36:28

0:36:31

as well as doors out to a sunroom.

0:36:31

0:36:33

Next to this is a second
kitchen space, and beside

0:36:34

0:36:37

the entrance hall is a utility,
plus a flight of stairs down to

0:36:37

0:36:41

the first of four bedrooms, that
includes an en-suite cloakroom.

0:36:41

0:36:46

But we're taking the main stairs
from the sitting room up to

0:36:46

0:36:49

the remaining three bedrooms.

0:36:49

0:36:51

I'll give you a sort of...
Your bearings up here.

0:36:52

0:36:55

You can explore a bit more later.
This is the master behind you.

0:36:55

0:36:58

So you've got lots of storage
under the eaves.

0:36:58

0:37:01

-But no en-suite, you'd have to use
this bathroom here.

-Mm-hm.

0:37:01

0:37:05

And then, on this side, you've got
a chain of two interlocking rooms,

0:37:05

0:37:08

and another bathroom,
and then the spiral staircase.

0:37:08

0:37:11

You'd all be one family,
snug under the eaves!

0:37:11

0:37:14

-Yeah, I think it is quite snug,
isn't it?

-It is.

0:37:14

0:37:17

Not a big problem, I don't think.

0:37:17

0:37:18

-We could work with that, while
we get the place sorted out.

-Mm.

0:37:18

0:37:21

-You can imagine playing hide and
seek up here, or sardines.

-Yeah.

0:37:21

0:37:25

There are even more hidden
corners to explore, as outbuildings

0:37:25

0:37:29

include a garage and a disused
cottage, ripe for renovation.

0:37:29

0:37:34

But first, we're investigating
the former stable block,

0:37:34

0:37:37

which is currently divided into six
zones and dates from the 1700s.

0:37:37

0:37:42

Oh, this sort of space makes
a developer drool a little bit,

0:37:44

0:37:48

but maybe it puts you off, does it?

0:37:48

0:37:50

No, not in the slightest.

0:37:50

0:37:51

I think there's so much
that we could do with this.

0:37:51

0:37:53

-There's so many opportunities,
I think...

-Yeah. Absolutely.

0:37:53

0:37:56

..for therapy rooms, and play room
for the boys, or a music room...

0:37:56

0:38:01

Just, yeah,
there's a lot of potential here.

0:38:01

0:38:04

And it feels really solid as well,
so, you know, structure's there.

0:38:04

0:38:07

-There is a lot of potential.

-Yeah, certainly.

-Yeah.

0:38:07

0:38:11

-Well, I'm hoping that the garden
might just seal the deal.

-Right, OK.

0:38:11

0:38:15

The three-quarter acre grounds
had been planted with

0:38:16

0:38:18

over 300 trees
by the current owners,

0:38:18

0:38:21

who also rent one and a half acres
of land for around £350 a year.

0:38:21

0:38:27

It's the perfect territory
for budding adventurers,

0:38:27

0:38:30

offering them its very own
stretch of uncharted waters.

0:38:30

0:38:34

-Look, you've got a river!

-Oh!

-This is the Erewash River.

0:38:34

0:38:38

-Beautiful.

-This is proper countryside.

-Yeah.

0:38:38

0:38:40

-You've outdone yourself, I think,
today.

-Yeah.

-Amazing. Beautiful.

0:38:40

0:38:44

The sound of the water's amazing.

0:38:44

0:38:45

-Beautiful garden. I love it.

-Yeah.

-I love the naturalness of it, too.

0:38:45

0:38:48

-Yeah, it's wild.

-Yeah.

0:38:48

0:38:50

-So, I'm getting a good vibe.

-Yes.

0:38:50

0:38:52

Now comes the tricky bit -
guessing the price.

0:38:52

0:38:55

I'm going to be cheeky.

0:38:55

0:38:56

I think with the amount of work
that needs to be done, I think that

0:38:56

0:39:00

has to be reflected in the price,
so for me, I'm going to go 385.

0:39:00

0:39:06

I'm going to be even more cheeky,
I think, then, and go for 375,

0:39:08

0:39:12

I think.

0:39:12

0:39:13

OK, you're both being very cheeky,
cos this is...

0:39:13

0:39:17

-It's a big lot of property. This is
on the market for 450.

-OK.

-OK.

0:39:17

0:39:21

-You could negotiate down,
but probably not that far down.

-No.

0:39:21

0:39:25

Cos you're right, there is
a lot of work, and you're going to

0:39:25

0:39:27

have to budget about whether you can
actually afford to do it.

0:39:27

0:39:30

So, take a look at
the outhouses, the cottage,

0:39:30

0:39:32

and have a sniff around inside to
see if that's going to work for you.

0:39:32

0:39:35

-Right.

-And I'll see you
out the front.

-Great. Thank you.

0:39:35

0:39:39

Well, they ARE cheeky, aren't they?
That's a very low price.

0:39:39

0:39:43

But, you know, they're right,
it's going to take a lot of work,

0:39:43

0:39:45

but what an opportunity.

0:39:45

0:39:47

I think it could be such a great
place for the boys to grow up

0:39:47

0:39:50

and for them to have
a life together.

0:39:50

0:39:52

With a guide price £25,000 below
their top budget,

0:39:55

0:39:59

this converted slaughterhouse
comes with a country kitchen,

0:39:59

0:40:03

characterful sitting room
and four bedrooms.

0:40:03

0:40:06

There's lots of potential in the
various outbuildings, plus it's in

0:40:06

0:40:09

a canal-side country location,
with its own stretch of river.

0:40:09

0:40:13

I'm enamoured with this property.

0:40:15

0:40:17

I like the canal, I like the river
at the bottom of the garden.

0:40:17

0:40:21

The garden just seems to go
on and on and on.

0:40:21

0:40:23

It's an amazing property.

0:40:23

0:40:25

It has so many things
that we haven't asked for,

0:40:25

0:40:28

but would have been on our higher
sort of fantasy wish list, I guess.

0:40:28

0:40:31

It's a delight, isn't it?

0:40:31

0:40:33

And there's so much, I think, that
we could do with the place,

0:40:33

0:40:36

-whilst keeping it in character.

-Mm.

0:40:36

0:40:39

It just appeals to me
on so many different levels.

0:40:39

0:40:42

-I've walked round with a smile
on my face since I came here.

-Mm.

0:40:42

0:40:46

I think this could definitely be our
home, and for the boys particularly.

0:40:46

0:40:49

I could just see them having
so much fun in the garden.

0:40:49

0:40:52

I really see their smiling faces
in my imagination,

0:40:52

0:40:56

just having a wonderful childhood,
which is really

0:40:56

0:40:59

a big part of the reason why
we want to move to Derbyshire.

0:40:59

0:41:02

I think this has got potential.

0:41:08

0:41:10

Yeah, I like the idea of it being
converted to a holiday let, I think.

0:41:10

0:41:13

-Yeah.

-Having seen the rooms next door,

0:41:13

0:41:15

I think we could possibly
use part of that.

0:41:15

0:41:18

Good, I like this planning what
you're going to do with the space.

0:41:18

0:41:20

It's a very good sign.

0:41:20

0:41:22

I'm afraid I'm going to have
to drag you away,

0:41:22

0:41:24

cos we've got other houses to see,
other things to do.

0:41:24

0:41:26

-OK.

-So, follow me.

0:41:26

0:41:28

Amongst the moors and peaks,
the mines and mills of Derbyshire

0:41:38

0:41:41

played a pivotal role in
Britain's Industrial Revolution,

0:41:41

0:41:45

and the area around the Derwent
River was particularly productive.

0:41:45

0:41:50

This former cotton mill now houses
the workshop of Ben Edmonds,

0:41:50

0:41:54

who's bringing back
a local skill - knife-making.

0:41:54

0:41:57

And it's fantastic what you're
doing, because obviously Sheffield,

0:41:57

0:42:00

the Peak District, famous for
knives, scissors, and steel.

0:42:00

0:42:03

-Yep, yep.

-And now here you are,
kind of reviving.

0:42:03

0:42:06

Yeah. We just make one-off
kitchen knives.

0:42:06

0:42:09

What was the fascination of steel
and wood and blades?

0:42:09

0:42:13

I suppose it developed over time.

0:42:13

0:42:14

When I first started, I just
thought, "Surely it's only me

0:42:14

0:42:17

"mad enough to make knives."

0:42:17

0:42:20

There's a nice kind of revival of
makers now.

0:42:20

0:42:23

I had a meeting with about 15
knife-makers from Sheffield,

0:42:23

0:42:27

and it's really nice,

0:42:27

0:42:28

all these people just, you know,
hand-crafting one-off pieces.

0:42:28

0:42:31

I'm from the Midlands,

0:42:31

0:42:33

and I wanted to make a knife
that I thought was true to me.

0:42:33

0:42:36

I wanted to pick the right steel,
the right design,

0:42:36

0:42:39

and produce something quite simple,
but best for the job.

0:42:39

0:42:43

I mean, we use a specific
high-carbon steel

0:42:43

0:42:46

which basically means you can get it
quite tough

0:42:46

0:42:49

and you get a really fine edge.

0:42:49

0:42:51

So, the handle - this is wood?

0:42:51

0:42:53

Aesthetically, I think it's great,
and I think there's something

0:42:53

0:42:56

to be said about the warmth
that you get from wood. It's...

0:42:56

0:43:00

Yeah, less sterile.

0:43:00

0:43:01

-It's lovely - you're kind of beaming
as you say that.

-I know!

0:43:01

0:43:04

Ben first started crafting knives
at his kitchen table,

0:43:04

0:43:07

using techniques he learned
from the internet.

0:43:07

0:43:10

Four and a half years on,
he runs a three-man enterprise.

0:43:10

0:43:14

Each knife begins as flat metal,

0:43:14

0:43:16

which is worked through
a series of four belts,

0:43:16

0:43:19

starting with the ceramic belt
that grinds a V-shaped blade edge.

0:43:19

0:43:23

You can see the steel coming off.

0:43:23

0:43:26

Um...

0:43:26

0:43:27

And now Zack has to be careful that
he doesn't get that knife too hot,

0:43:27

0:43:32

which is why he keeps dipping it
in the water.

0:43:32

0:43:34

The remaining belts,
we're just looking to remove

0:43:38

0:43:41

scratches and get finer and finer.

0:43:41

0:43:42

And then we go on to hand-sanding
after that.

0:43:42

0:43:45

How long does all that process,
like, to get from the stock,

0:43:45

0:43:47

-from the, you know, the...

-Yeah.

0:43:47

0:43:49

We could probably do four of those
in a day.

0:43:49

0:43:52

There's now a three-year waiting
list for these artisan knives,

0:43:53

0:43:57

each of which features a
hand-crafted handle made

0:43:57

0:44:00

from a selection of over 50 types
of wood.

0:44:00

0:44:03

So this is our clean room.

0:44:03

0:44:06

We glue all the handles here to
avoid any dust.

0:44:06

0:44:10

So Pat's now just using a resin,
and we are literally gluing the wood

0:44:10

0:44:15

and the pins to the steel.

0:44:15

0:44:17

Yeah, so we clamp that tight. We
leave that for 24 hours,

0:44:17

0:44:20

and then we have to take it back
into the other workshop

0:44:20

0:44:23

-and start sanding it down on the
machines.

-Yes.

0:44:23

0:44:25

Because the finished product is very
finished indeed, isn't it?

0:44:25

0:44:29

It is, yeah.

0:44:29

0:44:30

For those of us who don't have
£1,000 for new knives...

0:44:30

0:44:32

I mean, I've got knives that are
probably horrendously blunt.

0:44:32

0:44:36

Is there a way of keeping knives
that we already have sharp?

0:44:36

0:44:39

The main thing is
to keep them sharp.

0:44:39

0:44:41

Once a knife has dulled,
it's tricky to get the edge back.

0:44:41

0:44:45

Have you got time to give me
a little workshop on that?

0:44:45

0:44:47

-Yeah, let's do it.

-Good.

0:44:47

0:44:49

The travelling knife sharpener,
who once visited towns

0:44:52

0:44:56

and villages every year, was
a common sight in Victorian Britain.

0:44:56

0:45:00

Now left to our own devices,
without those sharp skills,

0:45:00

0:45:03

blunt knives are an
all-too-common problem.

0:45:03

0:45:07

-So, I recognise these, but I have
no idea what to do with them.

-Right.

0:45:07

0:45:11

So, these are two very
different things,

0:45:11

0:45:14

although they look
relatively similar.

0:45:14

0:45:16

-That's a hone,
and that's a steel.

-OK.

0:45:16

0:45:20

So, a hone doesn't have an abrasive
edge - that's completely smooth -

0:45:20

0:45:24

whereas a steel has got
a slight abrasion.

0:45:24

0:45:27

'With a dulled knife,
we need to start with the steel.'

0:45:27

0:45:32

So, from the heel,
we put the knife flat,

0:45:32

0:45:34

and we give it about 15 degrees.

0:45:34

0:45:37

And all we're going to do is drag
the knife down, making sure that

0:45:37

0:45:40

you go from heel to tip all the way,
and then we go to the other side.

0:45:40

0:45:43

Same angle.

0:45:43

0:45:45

-So, give that a go.

-OK.

-Right there.

0:45:45

0:45:49

Set that angle,
and pull it all the way down.

0:45:49

0:45:52

-That's it. Maybe a bit more
pressure.

-Bit more?

-Yeah, bit more.

0:45:52

0:45:55

'Then it's onto the hone,
for a few light strokes.'

0:45:58

0:46:02

-You're probably talking three or
four times on each side.

-OK.

0:46:03

0:46:07

-And all that does...

-Caressing the
blade.

-Yeah, caressing the blade.

0:46:07

0:46:10

And all that does is
realigns the edge.

0:46:10

0:46:12

'And, finally, we use a wet stone
to give a really sharp finish.'

0:46:12

0:46:17

-So, start here...

-Starting flat.

0:46:17

0:46:19

Yeah,
and work all the way to the tip.

0:46:19

0:46:22

-And pushing up?

-Yeah.

0:46:22

0:46:23

Nice.

0:46:26

0:46:28

Let's have a look.

0:46:28

0:46:29

-Looking good?

-I think we are.
And we'll try the paper again.

0:46:31

0:46:34

And we'll see what happens.

0:46:34

0:46:36

-Oh, wow!

-Perfect.

0:46:36

0:46:38

-There we go.

-Amazing.

-Nice and sharp.

-Yeah.

0:46:38

0:46:42

If you love your knife, then,
yeah, it should last...

0:46:42

0:46:46

Yeah, it should last a lifetime.
That's the idea with them, anyway.

0:46:46

0:46:48

If you look after them properly,

0:46:48

0:46:50

you should be able to have
one knife for life.

0:46:50

0:46:53

In terms of the Mystery House,

0:46:57

0:46:59

do you have any concept what
we might be showing you there?

0:46:59

0:47:02

-Ho-ho!

-Something possibly converted?

0:47:02

0:47:06

Converted barn, or a...windmill
or something, I don't know.

0:47:06

0:47:11

It's going to be something that will
stretch our spec,

0:47:11

0:47:15

you know, maybe we've said we don't
want this and you'll show us that

0:47:15

0:47:18

because the mystery property will
have other things going for it.

0:47:18

0:47:22

A very unusual property, like...

0:47:22

0:47:24

A very quirky property indeed.

0:47:24

0:47:26

-Like a lighthouse...

-Converted
mill chimney, or something!

0:47:26

0:47:29

-A mill chimney.

-Yes.

0:47:29

0:47:31

-Just doesn't stack up, really.

-Oh!

-Oh, God.

0:47:31

0:47:34

Our Mystery House is found in Flash,
a village in the

0:47:37

0:47:40

Peak District National Park, just
across the Staffordshire border.

0:47:40

0:47:44

A range of services are found
three miles away in the

0:47:44

0:47:46

Derbyshire spa town of Buxton,

0:47:46

0:47:48

whose architectural delights
include the 18th-century

0:47:48

0:47:51

Devonshire Dome, which originally
provided stabling and quarters

0:47:51

0:47:55

for the servants of the
nearby Crescent Hotel.

0:47:55

0:47:58

Back in Flash, there are stunning
views of the Peak District,

0:48:00

0:48:03

as well as a shop and pubs.

0:48:03

0:48:05

Its claim to be the highest village
in Britain has been disputed,

0:48:07

0:48:10

but there's no doubt
that it did once feature

0:48:10

0:48:12

the country's highest
Methodist chapel,

0:48:12

0:48:15

which has been converted into a home

0:48:15

0:48:17

and is the property
we've come to see.

0:48:17

0:48:19

-And this is the Mystery House.

-Wow.

0:48:20

0:48:23

You were correct about the
conversion - not a windmill,

0:48:23

0:48:26

-but a Methodist chapel.

-Wow.

-OK, what do you think?

0:48:26

0:48:30

-Looks very interesting from the
outside, doesn't it?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

0:48:30

0:48:33

-Completely renovated and done up
inside two years ago.

-OK.

0:48:33

0:48:38

-It's a Mystery House, remember,
so it's a bit of a curve ball.

-Sure.

0:48:38

0:48:41

-All right.

-There's one very obvious
feature that you might not like.

0:48:41

0:48:46

-Oh!

-But I think there's
a lot to admire.

-OK, sure.

0:48:46

0:48:49

-You ready for a go?

-Yeah,
can't wait to see it.

-Definitely.

0:48:49

0:48:51

Let's go inside.

0:48:51

0:48:53

Wesleyan Methodism was
well-established in Flash when

0:48:53

0:48:56

a chapel was built here in
the 18th century

0:48:56

0:48:58

to serve a 61-strong congregation.

0:48:58

0:49:01

Rebuilt in 1821,
it's now a Grade II listed home.

0:49:01

0:49:05

Spread over three levels,
we're starting in the multi-purpose

0:49:06

0:49:09

living space that has been created
on the ground floor.

0:49:09

0:49:13

Come right into the heart
of this big beast of a house.

0:49:13

0:49:16

-As you can see,
it's pretty much all open-plan.

-Mm.

0:49:17

0:49:21

-Interesting.

-Yeah.

-Do you like what you see?

0:49:21

0:49:24

-I do, yeah.

-I do like what I see, yeah.

0:49:24

0:49:25

It's lovely, it's welcoming,
it's warming, it feels cosy,

0:49:25

0:49:28

even though it's a big space.

0:49:28

0:49:29

Cos you've got a big log burner
sort of solid fuel heater here.

0:49:29

0:49:33

That actually heats all the water.
You've also got another one here,

0:49:33

0:49:36

-if you get chilly in the winter.

-Oh, OK.

0:49:36

0:49:38

And, as you can see, this is what
would have been the worship space.

0:49:38

0:49:41

-Yeah.

-I've got a thing about
converted churches, anyway,

0:49:41

0:49:44

just that lovely, calm, feeling.

0:49:44

0:49:47

-Nice feel let's look in the kitchen.

-Mm.

0:49:47

0:49:50

The sitting room is sandwiched
between an area used as

0:49:51

0:49:54

a study-cum-music-room,
and a dining space.

0:49:54

0:49:57

Then, at the back,

0:49:57

0:49:58

we find a separate country
kitchen/breakfast room.

0:49:58

0:50:00

Everything flows very nicely,

0:50:00

0:50:02

and then you've got
a kitchen with amazing views.

0:50:02

0:50:05

It's amazing. Just unexpected,
in such a modern kitchen.

0:50:06

0:50:11

I just get a really good feeling
about the place.

0:50:11

0:50:14

The style fits lovely
with the house, doesn't it?

0:50:14

0:50:16

Yes, it does, yeah.

0:50:16

0:50:18

Well, the space and the serenity of
this former chapel

0:50:18

0:50:21

may yet convert John and Steven.

0:50:21

0:50:23

On the lower ground floor is
a cosy snug, a store room, utility,

0:50:23

0:50:29

and a wet room, serving two
of the home's four bedrooms -

0:50:29

0:50:33

a very large double,
and a smaller double.

0:50:33

0:50:36

And, taking the stairs,
we reach a galleried upper floor.

0:50:36

0:50:40

So, again, let me just give you
a little bit of geography.

0:50:40

0:50:43

On that side, you've got
a very nice...

0:50:43

0:50:45

probably would be your master.

0:50:45

0:50:47

And then a beautiful bathroom,

0:50:47

0:50:50

a family bathroom with one of those
sort of slipper baths.

0:50:50

0:50:53

And then you've got this lovely...

0:50:53

0:50:54

basically a sitting room
for a landing.

0:50:54

0:50:56

Another bedroom here,
and then a great big kind of...

0:50:56

0:50:59

-Well, it's a dressing room here.

-Mm.

0:50:59

0:51:02

As it stands, it doesn't work.

0:51:02

0:51:04

I mean, I still love it -
that's the thing about it,

0:51:04

0:51:06

there's a lovely feel to it.

0:51:06

0:51:07

Practically, I don't think
it would work...

0:51:07

0:51:09

You know, I'm thinking about
your therapy room,

0:51:09

0:51:12

where we would have that,
but I do love the house.

0:51:12

0:51:16

I really love the house.

0:51:16

0:51:17

-I guess I could always retire early,
or something.

-Yeah.

0:51:17

0:51:21

Well, in a way,

0:51:21

0:51:23

the question marks may be resolved
when we look at the outside space.

0:51:23

0:51:27

-OK.

-OK, all right, OK.

-Come with me.

0:51:27

0:51:29

Despite the impressive spec
and location,

0:51:30

0:51:33

John and Steven remain to be
convinced that this house

0:51:33

0:51:36

has everything they need
for family life, and outside,

0:51:36

0:51:39

it's time to reveal why this is
a bit of a gamble,

0:51:39

0:51:43

because restrictions here in
the national park mean that

0:51:43

0:51:46

this sizeable home is limited
to a rather modest patio plot.

0:51:46

0:51:50

So, this might be the shortest
garden tour we've ever done,

0:51:52

0:51:55

-because this IS your garden.

-Right.

-OK.

0:51:55

0:51:58

-The idea, of course,
is that THIS is your garden.

-Mm-hm.

0:51:58

0:52:02

But, it being the Peak District, you
cannot turn arable land into garden.

0:52:02

0:52:07

Right.

0:52:07

0:52:09

Not much to say, really, about this.

0:52:09

0:52:11

Well, you know, clearly for us,
the garden was an important part,

0:52:11

0:52:14

because of the boys,
and we want them to be safe.

0:52:14

0:52:17

-That's a big missing piece,
I think, for us.

-Mm.

0:52:17

0:52:20

-It is beautiful, there's no doubt
about that.

-Mm.

-We love it, I think.

0:52:20

0:52:23

Yeah, we do.

0:52:23

0:52:24

There's just the missing pieces,
I think.

0:52:24

0:52:27

And what do you think it's
on the market for?

0:52:27

0:52:29

-Yes.

-I think it's... It's got to be
over budget.

-Do you think so?

0:52:29

0:52:34

I would even go
so far as to say maybe 520.

0:52:34

0:52:37

Ooh. I do think it's above what
we were prepared to pay.

0:52:37

0:52:40

I think I'll say 475.

0:52:40

0:52:43

-This is actually on the market
for £445,000.

-Really?

-Oh, OK.

0:52:43

0:52:49

-Wow!

-I'm sorry about the garden,
but, you know, we couldn't resist

0:52:49

0:52:52

-showing it to you, because
it's a classic Mystery House.

-Mm.

0:52:52

0:52:55

And it has, you know,
lots that recommends it.

0:52:55

0:52:58

This converted Methodist chapel
offers open-plan living

0:53:00

0:53:03

on the ground floor, and a separate
kitchen and breakfast room.

0:53:03

0:53:07

There are a total of four bedrooms,
two bathrooms, and it's in

0:53:07

0:53:11

the heart of a village within
the Peak District National Park.

0:53:11

0:53:14

I think...
If it was just the two of us,

0:53:14

0:53:17

-I think this would be
absolutely perfect.

-Mm.

0:53:17

0:53:20

But our priorities have changed.

0:53:20

0:53:23

It just wouldn't be suitable
for the boys.

0:53:23

0:53:26

-Unfortunately, this isn't the house
for the family.

-No.

0:53:26

0:53:30

From the moment we pulled up
and saw the house from the outside,

0:53:30

0:53:33

the Mystery House,
I just thought, was beautiful.

0:53:33

0:53:37

Had a brilliant use of space.

0:53:37

0:53:39

This house would have been
a contender

0:53:39

0:53:41

had it had a garden, and I think
we would have gone for it.

0:53:41

0:53:44

Ordinarily, I think it would be
lovely to move in

0:53:44

0:53:47

and consider putting
a bid in for it,

0:53:47

0:53:50

but it just doesn't fit
our new family requirements,

0:53:50

0:53:53

so, unfortunately,
we're going to have to let it go.

0:53:53

0:53:56

Ah, beautiful views, but I feel
a rotter for showing you

0:53:58

0:54:01

this property and not giving you
a garden, but what can I do?

0:54:01

0:54:04

-Oh, sorry.

-That's OK.

0:54:04

0:54:06

But, we're done here,

0:54:06

0:54:07

but there is a pub - probably
the highest pub in Britain -

0:54:07

0:54:09

over there, so why don't you get
yourself settled in there,

0:54:09

0:54:12

and I'll come and join you
in a minute?

0:54:12

0:54:13

-Sure.

-OK.

-Thanks, Alistair.

0:54:13

0:54:15

Oh, Mystery Houses can be
so heartbreaking.

0:54:15

0:54:18

They can either go wildly right,
or wildly wrong.

0:54:18

0:54:21

I mean, the garden was always going
to be a hard thing to swallow, and

0:54:21

0:54:25

it didn't quite work out, but let's
go and find out what they think

0:54:25

0:54:27

about the whole experience of
being on Escape To The Country.

0:54:27

0:54:31

Hey, nice to see you've really
settled in to the neighbourhood!

0:54:38

0:54:41

-Yes!

-Drinks ready and everything.

-Mm.

0:54:41

0:54:43

Have you been mulling over
the properties?

0:54:43

0:54:45

We certainly have, and I think
there's no doubt in our view

0:54:45

0:54:49

that the house that's the favourite
is the one by the canal.

0:54:49

0:54:52

Yes, I'm glad,
because it's a great property.

0:54:52

0:54:55

So, what are the brass tacks?
What happens next?

0:54:55

0:54:57

Look at the finances, and...

0:54:57

0:54:58

-Yeah, and look at the plans
for the place...

-Yeah.

0:54:58

0:55:00

..to get a rough idea of what we
want to get done pretty quickly,

0:55:00

0:55:04

and how much that'll cost.

0:55:04

0:55:05

And I see that being absolutely
possible.

0:55:05

0:55:09

Have you thought about what's
the priority in that property?

0:55:09

0:55:12

I think the priority's probably the
holiday let, first of all,

0:55:12

0:55:16

to get some income coming in,

0:55:16

0:55:18

and then we focus on the bits, I
think at least anyway, that we want.

0:55:18

0:55:21

-Yes.

-It is definitely liveable as it
is, so we'll live with how the

0:55:21

0:55:25

set-up is at the moment, I think.

0:55:25

0:55:27

We can do that and focus
on the other things first.

0:55:27

0:55:30

-So, are you excited? Does it suit
your...?

-Yes.

-Butterflies?

0:55:30

0:55:33

I guess I'm not going to sleep
tonight cos I dare say

0:55:33

0:55:35

-I shall be dreaming about it.

-Yes.

-And what about the boys?

0:55:35

0:55:38

What's the plan?
Do you bring them up and...?

0:55:38

0:55:40

Yes, we'll have to bring them up
and let them see the property.

0:55:40

0:55:42

They are an important part of
the decision-making process.

0:55:42

0:55:45

They'll love the stream,
they'll love the canal,

0:55:45

0:55:47

they'll adore the garden.

0:55:47

0:55:49

-Yeah.

-So much room for them
to just run around.

0:55:49

0:55:51

-And a great house for them
to hide in.

-Yeah.

0:55:51

0:55:52

Exactly, so many cubbyholes.

0:55:52

0:55:54

-It's going to hold their interest,
I know.

-Yeah.

0:55:54

0:55:56

Well, I'm delighted that
we've found you something,

0:55:56

0:55:59

cos it was quite a tall order.
We seem to have found you something.

0:55:59

0:56:01

Yeah, absolutely.

0:56:01

0:56:02

And I really hope that you and the
boys take that house and settle in.

0:56:02

0:56:06

-Yeah.

-Thank you.

-Keep us in the loop.

0:56:06

0:56:07

-Yeah, thanks very much for your
help.

-Been a fantastic few days.

0:56:07

0:56:10

-Really has been amazing.

-And it's
always nice to be in Derbyshire.

0:56:10

0:56:12

Yeah.

0:56:12

0:56:14

Can I let you in to a secret?

0:56:21

0:56:22

I thought, for a while,

0:56:22

0:56:23

we had bitten off more
than we could chew,

0:56:23

0:56:25

because Steve and John really wanted
a lot for their budget,

0:56:25

0:56:29

but it was such a good story,
with the boys, and the new family,

0:56:29

0:56:32

and moving from the East End
to all of this,

0:56:32

0:56:34

that we did take on the challenge,
and I am so relieved that

0:56:34

0:56:38

we seem to have hit a bulls-eye
with that house by the canal.

0:56:38

0:56:41

It's going to be a lot of work,

0:56:41

0:56:42

but it's the sort of work that will
really bring that family together.

0:56:42

0:56:46

If they need a peak experience,

0:56:46

0:56:48

then this is the landscape
that will give it to them.

0:56:48

0:56:53

So, on that happy note,

0:56:53

0:56:55

join us next time for more rural
adventures on Escape To The Country.

0:56:55

0:56:59

If you would like to
Escape To The Country

0:57:02

0:57:04

in Northern Ireland, Scotland,
Wales, or England

0:57:04

0:57:06

and need our help,
you can apply online.

0:57:06

0:57:09

Series which helps prospective buyers to find their dream home in the country. Alistair Appleton helps a couple and their young sons to quit London and make a new life and home in Derbyshire on a budget of £475k.

Alistair also spends time with a craftsman who is bringing back the local skill of knifemaking.